Newseum Spotlights News-Making Boomers in Upcoming Exhibit

WASHINGTON – The Newseum’s newest exhibit, “The Boomer List,” spotlights 19 baby boomers who made headlines over the years with portraits by renown photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Large-format photographs of these influential baby boomers will line the museum’s walls starting September 26 through July 5, 2015.

The exhibit, in partnership with AARP, highlights one prominent baby boomer born each year of the baby boom, from 1946 to 1964. An interactive kiosk allows visitors to see behind-the-scenes images of Greenfield-Sanders’ photo shoots.

“Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ striking images showcase 19 people who’ve had a profound impact not just within their generation, but on the entire American experience,” said Cathy Trost, senior vice president of exhibits and programs at the Newseum. “This year, as the last of the boomers turn 50, these remarkable individuals and their stories offer revealing perspectives on the news and events that continue to shape our culture today.”

The 19 men and women selected for “The Boomer List” are:

1946: Tim O’Brien, Vietnam veteran/author

1947: Deepak Chopra, M.D., New Age guru

1948: Samuel L. Jackson, actor

1949: Billy Joel, singer/songwriter

1950: Steve Wozniak, co-founder, Apple Computer

1951: Tommy Hilfiger, fashion designer

1952: Amy Tan, author

1953: Eve Ensler, playwright

1954: Julieanna Richardson, founder, The HistoryMakers

1955: Maria Shriver, journalist

1956: Kim Cattrall, actress

1957: Virginia Rometty, CEO, IBM

1958: Ellen Ochoa, Director, Johnson Space Center

1959: Ronnie Lott, athlete

1960: Erin Brockovich, environmentalist

1961: Peter Staley, AIDS activist

1962: Rosie O’Donnell, entertainer

1963: David LaChapelle, artist

1964: John Leguizamo, actor

The exhibit also uses a timeline of historic events to reveal some of the defining moments of the baby boom generation. More than 30 iconic boomer objects will help to personalize that history, such as an original 1959 Barbie doll, a 1964 G. I. Joe action figure and a transistor radio.

The exhibit focuses on news events and pop culture moments that defined the country from 1946 to 1982, when the last boomers turned 18. A scent station triggers memories from the time period, including the scent of fresh-cut crass to symbolize the boomers’ move to the suburbs.

In addition to the exhibit, an American Masters documentary film titled “The Boomer List will premier nationwide on September 23 on PBS. The film will also run at the Newseum’s Documentary Theater twice a day on weekends throughout the run of the exhibit.